by Catalina Camia, USA TODAY

by Catalina Camia, USA TODAY

Former president Bill Clinton and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie shared a stage on Friday, a Democrat and a Republican getting together to talk about leadership in the face of a crisis.

They agreed that preparing for natural disasters isn't based on party labels or politics.

"No matter who you are or what you are ... you turn to government" after a hurricane or a tornado, Christie said. "Regardless of where you fall on the ideological spectrum, you agree that this is government's responsibility."

But their chat at the Clinton Global Initiative America conference in Chicago was more than just a wonky policy conversation: It was a preview of sorts for the 2016 presidential election, still more than 1,200 days away.

Christie, who is up for re-election in November, is often mentioned as a potential 2016 presidential candidate. He has taken heat for his embrace of President Obama in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy and for his work with other Democrats. The governor has shrugged off the criticism, contending he is doing what he believes is best for New Jersey.

More than once at the Clinton event, Christie mentioned his work with Obama. "There are no partisan lines when this happens," he said, stressing the importance of the federal government working in concert with states after natural disasters.

Clinton acknowledged the peril facing Christie by working with Democrats, joking with the audience that he has ruined the governor's reputation more than once by chatting him up as they sat near each other at the annual Big East basketball tournament in New York.

"This is going to wreck this guy's career," Clinton told the audience about their bonding. He also praised Christie for his "passionate advocacy" after Superstorm Sandy.

While Clinton hosted his conference on economic issues in Chicago, other potential GOP presidential contenders were gathering in Washington at the Faith & Freedom Coalition conference - an annual event that draws thousands of social and evangelical conservatives.

Hillary Rodham Clinton opened the Chicago conference on Thursday by explaining her new role in the Clinton family's foundation. She also launched a new early childhood initiative on Friday called "Too Small to Fail."

The former secretary of State consistently leads early surveys taken by Quinnipiac University, Public Policy Polling and others on the 2016 presidential election. Hillary Clinton garners overwhelming support among Democrats, far outpacing the support voiced at this early point for Vice President Biden or New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

In hypothetical matchups with Republicans, Clinton also leads Christie, Paul, Rubio and Bush in public opinion polling.